Suspected rebels stormed a Chinese-run gold mining site recently launched in the Central African Republic, killing nine Chinese nationals and injuring two others, officials said.
The attack came just days after gunmen kidnapped three Chinese nationals in the west of the country near Cameroon’s border, prompting President Faustin Arcange Toudera to travel to China to reassure investors.
Abel Matipata, the mayor of the nearby town of Bambari, said the attack on the Chimbolo gold mine began around 5 a.m., when gunmen overpowered the site’s guards and opened fire. He said that the mining site was inaugurated only a few days back.
search underway
Local authorities said they were pursuing the attackers, but declined further comment. Residents said the violence was the latest incident to undermine faith in the security forces.
“The government is having a hard time proving its ability to protect Central Africans and foreigners living in the country,” said Ang Morel Gbatangyu, a resident of Bambari.
no one has claimed responsibility
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion fell on the coalition of Patriots for Change, or CPC, which is active in the region and regularly launches attacks on the country’s armed forces. The rebel groups are aligned with former President François Bozige.
Anselme Bangu, who supports the current president’s administration, said the attack on Chinese traders was an act of “indescribable cowardice”.
“The CPC has not only slowed down the country’s economic momentum but is now attacking the foundation of development. This is unacceptable,” Bangu said.
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world despite its vast mineral wealth of gold and diamonds among others. Numerous rebel groups have operated with impunity in the troubled country over the past decade, thwarting mining exploration by foreign companies.
Many of those now operating in the country are Chinese-run and have faced security challenges.
In 2020, two Chinese nationals died when local residents led a rebellion against a Chinese-operated mine in Soso Nkombo. And in 2018, three Chinese nationals were killed by angry community members after a local leader died in a boating accident at a site with Chinese miners.
(with inputs from AP)
Also read: 17 killed, 30 injured as bus falls off road in Bangladesh